[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 64 (Wednesday, April 12, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E500-E501]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF CAMP HOPE/CHRIS NEAL FARM

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. JASON SMITH

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 12, 2017

  Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Camp Hope/
Chris Neal Farm on the occasion of its 10th Anniversary. Created by 
Gold Star parents, William, ``Mike'' and Galia White, the camp located 
on the farm in St. Francois County, Missouri, honors their 23-year-old 
son, Marine Private First Class Christopher Neal White. Chris was 
killed in action in Al Anbar, Iraq on June 20, 2006. Not long after, 
the Whites began to develop their vision for helping wounded soldiers 
enjoy the great outdoors as their son had done.
  Camp Hope provides outdoor adventures for combat wounded veterans of 
the War on Terror and active-duty combat-wounded soldiers, Marines, 
airmen and sailors. Their Camp Hope experience is entirely free of 
charge.
  Camp Hope's mission is to offer these combat veterans the chance to 
shoot skeet, hunt turkey and deer, fish, hike, explore the country, or 
relax around the ever-burning fire pit. The goal is to help them 
experience healing through nature.
  Since 2007, dozens of wounded soldiers from across the nation and all 
branches of service have laughed and cried together and found their own 
sense of peace at this 170-acre farm near Farmington. Volunteers--many 
of them veterans themselves--have helped to make the dream come true 
donating their time and money to these heroes on the homefront.
  In celebration of the 10th Anniversary of Camp Hope/Chris Neal Farm, 
it is my great pleasure to honor the Whites, the volunteers who join 
them and the combat veterans they serve today before the United States 
House of Representatives.

[[Page E501]]

  

                          ____________________